Enhancing Employment
This research stream investigates strategies to improve employment outcomes for people with disabilities across multiple work settings. Our studies examine: (1) the impact of AI-based automated employment decision tools and related regulatory policies on hiring outcomes; (2) approaches to support state vocational rehabilitation agency staff and clients in starting and scaling self-employment; and (3) state agency practices that effectively transform systems from sheltered work programs to competitive integrated employment (CIE).
Our Research Projects
Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities in the Age of Algorithmic and AI Technologies
Fact Sheet: Employment Opportunities for People with Disabilities in the Age of Algorithmic and AI Technologies (PDF)
A multi-method study combining (1) a randomized controlled trial (RCT) resume audit of job applicants with and without disabilities applying to employers using AI-enabled automated employment decision tools (AEDT), (2) a quasi-experimental evaluation of Colorado’s 2026 legislation regulating AEDT hiring practices using ACS data, and (3) qualitative semi-structured interviews with employers to assess how AEDT adoption shapes employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
A multi-method study combining (1) a randomized controlled trial (RCT) resume audit of job applicants with and without disabilities applying to employers using AI-enabled automated employment decision tools (AEDT), (2) a quasi-experimental evaluation of Colorado’s 2026 legislation regulating AEDT hiring practices using ACS data, and (3) qualitative semi-structured interviews with employers to assess how AEDT adoption shapes employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
Partnerships for Starting and Scaling Self-Employment among People with Disabilities
Fact Sheet: Partnerships for Starting and Scaling Self-Employment among People with Disabilities (PDF)
A multi-phase, mixed-methods study in partnership with State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies (SVRAs) to improve self-employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Phase 1 includes interviews with VR clients and counselors (VRCs) to identify barriers and resource needs. Phase 2 develops and tests two toolkits: one for VRCs to strengthen training and service delivery, and one for VR clients to support business planning and self-employment readiness. Phase 3 implements a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with adults with disabilities to evaluate the effectiveness of the client toolkit in increasing confidence, planning behaviors, and completion of business plans.
A multi-phase, mixed-methods study in partnership with State Vocational Rehabilitation Agencies (SVRAs) to improve self-employment outcomes for people with disabilities. Phase 1 includes interviews with VR clients and counselors (VRCs) to identify barriers and resource needs. Phase 2 develops and tests two toolkits: one for VRCs to strengthen training and service delivery, and one for VR clients to support business planning and self-employment readiness. Phase 3 implements a randomized controlled trial (RCT) with adults with disabilities to evaluate the effectiveness of the client toolkit in increasing confidence, planning behaviors, and completion of business plans.
CIE Systems Transformation
Fact Sheet: CIE Systems Transformation (PDF)
A multi-state, mixed-methods study led by Cornell and Rutgers Universities to identify effective policies and practices for transforming state systems to support competitive integrated employment (CIE) for people with disabilities. Phase 1 includes a national survey of state policy actors following an environmental scan to assess prevalence and effectiveness of promising practices. Phase 2 uses focus groups and interviews with leaders from VR and workforce systems to examine policy implementation and systems change processes. Phase 3 develops case studies of successful transitions to CIE models through interviews, site visits, and documentation review, producing evidence-based High-Level Practices (HLPs) and actionable recommendations for policy transformation.
A multi-state, mixed-methods study led by Cornell and Rutgers Universities to identify effective policies and practices for transforming state systems to support competitive integrated employment (CIE) for people with disabilities. Phase 1 includes a national survey of state policy actors following an environmental scan to assess prevalence and effectiveness of promising practices. Phase 2 uses focus groups and interviews with leaders from VR and workforce systems to examine policy implementation and systems change processes. Phase 3 develops case studies of successful transitions to CIE models through interviews, site visits, and documentation review, producing evidence-based High-Level Practices (HLPs) and actionable recommendations for policy transformation.